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Melina Bath says regional Victoria missed out while Glasgow benefits, with Victorians paying for Labor's failure

One year from the 2026 Glasgow Games, Nationals MP Melina Bath slams Labor's $589 million Commonwealth Games cancellation, citing debt, broken promises, and lost opportunities for regional Victoria.

By news@gippsland - 23rd July 2025 - Back to News

Today marks one year until the 2026 Commonwealth Games begin in Glasgow. The Nationals' Melina Bath said instead of preparing to feature Gippsland and regional Victoria on the world stage, Victorians are footing the bill for Labor's incompetence.

Premier Jacinta Allan has humiliated Victorians by cancelling the regional Games - just weeks after claiming $3 billion in benefits. Labor's legacy in regional Victoria remains broken promises and failed investments

Games cost Victoria

Ms Bath said, "The Games were infamously cancelled in 2023 by Labor's then Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery and now Premier of Victoria, Jacinta Allan, blaming budget blowouts. The damning parliamentary inquiry into their cancellation revealed the truth: the Games were doomed from the start due to Labor's inept planning and economic mismanagement."

"The debacle cost Victorians at least $589 million, including $200 million for Glasgow to host the Games. We are yet to see one brick laid for promised housing projects and left with mounting debt, broken promises, and lost opportunities in regional tourism, hospitality, and retail," she said.

The inquiry which handed down its findings in April found Premier Jacinta Allan was the architect of the failed Games model. The Premier refused to cooperate with the investigation, avoiding parliamentary scrutiny and public accountability.

Global games failure

Ms Bath said what should have been a regional showcase became a global embarrassment with a massive bill. "We have to watch the jobs and investment that should have come to regional Victoria be delivered in Glasgow - at our expense, courtesy of Jacinta Allan."

"The bungled Games ended up costing the state dearly - the Premier's incompetence inflicted international reputational damage and a loss of vital long-term economic opportunities that can never be recovered," said Ms Bath.

Ms Bath said the Allan government continues to demonstrate it cannot manage money or major projects. "State net debt is climbing to $194 billion, with interest repayments of nearly $29 million every single day, all Victorians deserve better," she said.

Pictures from Melina Bath MP Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  The Victorian Labor government is investing $750,000 in Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley, supporting 120 young people facing barriers to education, training and employment through 2028.
• The Nationals' $5 Better Roads Plan promises pothole repairs and long-term maintenance across neglected Gippsland road network
  The Nationals' $5 billion Better Roads plan would tackle Gippsland's deteriorating roads, repair one million potholes, restore preventative maintenance and establish Better Roads Victoria for improved standards.
• Latrobe City Council seeks community feedback on draft 10-year Nature Plan to protect local biodiversity until 31 August 2026
  Latrobe City Council is seeking community feedback on its draft 10-year Nature Plan, outlining priorities to protect biodiversity, restore landscapes and engage residents. Public submissions close on 31 August 2026.
• Upgraded Traralgon Indoor Stadium welcomes more community sport and elite events with $6M investment
  A $6 million upgrade to Traralgon Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium delivers improved facilities, creates local jobs, and positions the venue to attract more elite sporting events and community participation.
• Darren Chester releases 2026 Age Pension Guide to help older Gippslanders navigate retirement support and services
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has released his 2026 Age Pension Guide, providing older Gippslanders, pensioners, carers and families with information about pensions, concessions, aged care and government services.
• New Flight Test Command Centre opens at Latrobe Airport, boosting advanced aviation jobs, investment and innovation
  A new Flight Test Range Command Centre at Latrobe Regional Airport has opened, supporting advanced aviation research, attracting investment, strengthening local businesses and creating new jobs across Gippsland.
• Flight Test Range Command Centre opens at Latrobe Airport, boosting Gippsland's drone and aerospace industries and economic diversification
  A new Flight Test Range Command Centre at Latrobe Regional Airport will support drone and aerospace innovation, attract investment and create jobs across Gippsland's emerging Advanced Air Mobility sector.
• Moe Inline Hockey Championships secure five-year council funding, expected to boost $15M into local economy through visitor spending
  Latrobe City Council will provide $100,000 over five years to support Moe’s Australian Inline Hockey Club Championships, expected to generate $15 million locally through visitor spending and accommodation.
• DAFF faces criticism over Russian timber imports and failure to enforce illegal logging laws, leaving Australian producers at risk
  DAFF faces scrutiny over Russian timber imports, having conducted no compliance testing despite evidence of misdeclared timber. Nationals leaders warn weak enforcement threatens Australian forestry jobs and domestic producers.
• The Nationals promise apprenticeship training cost cuts, new technical colleges and toll relief to support Gippsland tradies and businesses
  The Nationals propose a $115 million apprenticeship fund, 10 new technical colleges for 5,000 students, and a $50 weekly toll cap to reduce costs, support Gippsland tradies and strengthen regional businesses
• Bass Coast Shire Council urges state government to act on urgent on Western Port Woodlands protection controls before caretaker period
  Bass Coast Shire Council has urged the Victorian Government to introduce interim protections for Western Port Woodlands, citing significant biodiversity values and seeking action before caretaker provisions begin on November 3.
• Wellington Shire Council 2026 hard waste collection returns this spring for convenient household clean-up and recycling
  Wellington Shire Council’s annual hard waste collection returns from September 28 to October 30, offering residents convenient disposal of unwanted household items, including e-waste, while supporting recycling and reducing illegal dumping.
• Cann River Cafe creates local employment pathways through community training and youth opportunities
  Cann River has opened Fern & Feather Cafe, a community-owned training initiative providing hospitality skills, employment pathways, youth opportunities and funding for local community programs.
• The Nationals join dairy farmers in opposing Labor’s European Union Trade Deal, citing unfair market access and threats to Australian industry
  The Nationals are backing Australian Dairy Farmers’ opposition to Labor’s EU trade deal, arguing unfair market access, increased imports and export restrictions threaten Australian dairy farmers and local industry.
• Flight test command centre opens, strengthening Latrobe's role in Australia's advanced aviation innovation sector and creating new opportunities
  Latrobe's new Flight Test Range Command Centre has opened at Latrobe Regional Airport, supporting advanced aviation research, drone technology, investment, manufacturing growth and skilled jobs across the region.